planting a new garden.
Before starting an agriculture work or buying land an important thing to do is conduct a soil test. I will explain how to conduct this test below.
Soil test will provide to a large extent composition of the soil, pH of the soil which tells if the soil is acidic (below 7) or alkaline (above 7) or neutral (7). Generally soils of 5-6.6 is considered as suitable for most crops, pulses and vegetables and for gardens. Some crops and vegetables are very sensitive to low or high soil pH and therefore will not grow under these conditions to the best production potential. Some crops will not germinate if the pH is below 4.8. The image below shows which level of pH is required for some crops.
http://www.aglime.org.uk/technical09.htm
Using lime at a suitable rate can help but if the pH is very low (below 4.7) then it is very difficult to correct the soil pH with lime in a short time.
Soil test will also provide the information regarding if the soil has too much of Nitrogen ( from either urea or NPK), Phosphorus and Potassium. Very high levels of nitrogen generally results in farmer using excessive nitrogen from fertilizers thinking it will increase production. However high levels of nitrogen can result in making some crops less productive due to diseases. Deficiency of some trace elements such as molybdenum also can cause growth reduction.
High levels of nitrogen also results in being carried by water (run off) when there is high rainfall and this will go and flow into the rivers and creeks. This will cause weeds, algae (toxic) and bacteria (toxic) to grow near the river beds and in the water. This water will enter the water table and run into the water humans drink. When humans and cattle or sheep drink this water it will cause diseases in humans and animals. This will also waste nitrogen as studies have shown that about 40% of nitrogen runs off in water.
Soil needs to have optimum pH, Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium, Iron (Fe), Molybdenum (Mo), Zinc (Zn), Manganese (Mn), Magnesium (mg) and Copper (Cu) at the least.
Soil pH also has another impact. Low pH can result in having high toxic levels of Aluminium (Al) and or high levels of Manganese (Mn). Both the toxic elements result in growth reduction and growth suppression. This condition is called as acidic soil.
High pH can also be associated with high levels of salt in the soil. This condition is called as soil salinity. Both these toxic conditions are due to excessive use of fertilizers without testing the soil. Both these conditions can become permanent if it is left without corrections. Therefore the land becomes barren and degraded.
How to conduct soil test
It is very simple to collect and send the soil samples for testing.
you will need
2 large bags (plastic)
1 small digger or a shovel
1 Pen and labels ( paper)
Land for testing
1. Choose a day after the rain fall and rain has dried to a large extent but moisture is still there in the soil.
2. Use the shovel or the digger to dig the soil for about 10 cms ( length of your hand)
3. Dig out some small amount of soil and place it in the plastic bag 1.
4. Dig in 10 random spots across the land where a crop or a garden will grow.
5. Place the dug out soil from each of the 10 spots in the plastic bag 1.
6.Now mix up the soil carefully and throughly with hand.
7. Place the required amount ( as required by the testing company) of the mixed soil in the bag numbered 2.
8. Send the mixed soil to the soil testing company.
9. When the results are provided take it to the local agricultural officer for assessment and correction recommendation.
10. Use the right type of fertilizer to correct the soil.
Note: In most of the western countries soil testing kits are available to test pH only. testing for pH only may not be enough for best production.
Test the soil once in 2-3 years to make sure you have done the correction for that specific crop you want to grow.
testing the soil and correcting excessive elements and deficiencies will give best possible yield for the year.
when sending the soil for testing make sure you ask for the NPK and the elements mentioned above (Mg, Mn, Zn, Fe, Cu Mo) to be tested. Ask for pH to be tested. Ask them to test for Aluminium and Manganese saturation percentages. These will give the percentage of these elements available to the plants when growing in the soil. If Aluminium is above 6% you will need to add several tonnes of line to correct the pH. However not all the low pH soils will have Aluminium and Manganese toxicities.
Soil testing center information for Karnataka found on the web sites.
(The author has no knowledge of how good these centers are)
University of Agriculture, GKVK has several campuses. They also have a Kissan Call center where farmers and public can get all agricultural information from trained professionals. Here is their web link. There is a toll free number 1551 dedicated to the call centre.
2K Plus Geotechnique (Soil Testing - Bangalore)
Contact: 2944, V Ngr-560040. Phone: 080-23300645
Anantha Consultants (Soil Testing - Bangalore)
Contact: Mr. Sheshu
385/11, 1st N Blk R-Ngr-560010. Phone: 080-23326988
Aptech Foundations (Soil Testing - Bangalore)
Contact: Mr Venkatesh
1380 Sri Venkatadri I Flr Off 6th Crs Ashok Ngr Bsk I Stg-560050. Phone: 080-26672868
Deccan Engineers (India) (Soil Testing - Bangalore)
Contact: Mr. Bhaskar
No.30 Attur Layout Ambabhavani Temple Rd Yelahanka-560064. Phone: 080-28563487
Geo Engineering Co Pvt Ltd (Soil Testing - Bangalore)
Contact: 12 Palace Rd-560052. Phone: 080-22265498
Karnataka Test House Pvt. Ltd. (Soil Testing - Bangalore)
Contact: Mr. K.B.V. Pathi
8th Cross Triveni Rd Ypr-560054. Phone: 080-23378383
Nagadi Consultants (Soil Testing - Bangalore)
Contact: 1014 1st Mn 4th Blk R Ngr-560010. Phone: 080-23356076
Optimum Use Material Centre (Soil Testing - Bangalore)
Contact: Mr. Venkatesh
1380, Sri Venkatadri,Off 6th Crs,Ashok Ngr Bsk I Stg-560050. Phone: 080-26672819
Struct Geotech Research Laboratories Private Limited (Soil Testing - Bangalore)
Contact: Mr. Manoj
588, 6th Blk Hoskerehalli Crs Bsk 3rd Stg 2nd Ph-560085. Phone: 080-26422752
Vel Engineering Consultants (P) Ltd (Soil Testing - Bangalore)
Contact: Palaniappan
19, 3rd Mn Rd Extn,Venkateswara Ngr,Velachery CHN-600042. Phone: 044-22591667
For soil test kits and soil testing (from Kirthi S)
Farmers and public can get soil testing kits for detils contact Zuari company or you can also contact GKVK, Hebbal for further details. 08023330153.
Information from
SOIL HEALTH CENTRES:
Information from
SOIL HEALTH CENTRES:
Department of Agriculture maintains 19 Soil Health Centres, three mobile Soil Health Centres and one Micro Nutrient Laboratory in the State. Micro Nutrient analysis is also done in seven Soil Health Centres other than the State Micro Nutrient Laboratory. The main objective of Soil Health Centres is to maintain the soil health by analysing nutrient status of the soils and to give suggestions on the quantities of major nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium to be applied to the soils. Micro Nutrient analysis is also important to know the status of Manganese, Boron, Zinc, Iron etc., present in the soil and accordingly suggest supplimental application for better plant growth. Mobile soil health centres go to the villages with all the lab. facilities and analyse soils at the door-steps of farmers.
The details of Soil Health Centres(SHC) in the State are given below:
Sl. No. | Soil Health Centre | Location | Micro Nutrient analysis facility |
1. | SHC,Bangalore Rural and Bangalore Urban | Commissionerate of Agriculture, Bangalore. | |
2. | SHC, Kolar | Kolar | |
3. | SHC, Tumkur | Tumkur | |
4. | SHC, Mandya | Mandya | Yes |
5. | SHC, Mysore & Chamarajanagar | Nanjangud | Yes |
6. | SHC, Kodagu | Kudige, Somwarpet Taluk | |
7. | SHC, Hassan | Hassan | |
8 . | SHC, Chickmagalur | Chickmgalur | |
9. | SHC, Shimoga | Shimoga | Yes |
10. | SHC, Chitradurga & Davanagere | Davanagere | |
11. | SHC, Dakshina Kannada & Udupi | Mangalore | |
12. | SHC, Uttara kannada | Sirsi | |
13. | SHC, Dharwar, Haveri & Gadag | Gadag | |
14. | SHC, Belgaum | Gokak | Yes |
15. | SHC, Bijapur & Bagalkote | Jamkhandi | Yes |
16. | SHC, Gulbarga | Kotnoor(Gulbarga) | Yes |
17. | SHC, Bidar | Bhalki | |
18. | SHC, Raichur & Koppal | Dhadesugur (Sindhanur taluk) | |
19. | SHC, Bellary | Bellary | Yes |
20. | Mobile Soil Health Centre, Dharwar | Dharwar | |
21. | Mobile Soil Health Centre, Nanjangudu | Nanjangudu | |
22. | Mobile Soil Health Centre, Gulbarga | Kotnoor | |
23. | Micro Nutrient Laboratory, (State level),Bangalore | Bangalore | Yes |
In addition, water analysis for assessing its suitability for irragation is also under tajen at all the soil health centres. Soil and Water analysis is done free off cost except fpr Micro-nutrients which will be charged at Rs.5 per sample. The Department is also providing fertility cards to farmers for their use in fertiliser mamagment.
There are four Fertiliser Control Laboratories in the State. The main objective of these laboratories is to maintain the quality of the fertilisers supplied to farmers by manufacturers / dealers. Fertiliser samples are drawn by fertiliser inspectors under the Fertiliser Control Order and are analysed by fertiliser control laboratories. The details of samples which do not meet the required quality standards are intimated to the fertiliser inspectors by the laboratories for taking further necessary legal action against the concerned dealers/manufacturers.
The details of the fertiliser control laboratories are given below:-
Sl.No. | Laboratory | Location | District |
1. | Fertiliser Control laboratory | Commissionerate of Agriculture, Bangalore. | Bangalore |
2. | Fertiliser Control laboratory | Dharwar | Dharwar |
3. | Fertiliser Control laboratory | Belthangady | Dakshina Kannada |
4. | Fertiliser Control laboratory | Gangavathi | Koppal |
Farmers can also send the samples of fertlisers on their own to any of the laboratories mentioned above for analysis by paying Rs.25 per sample.However, the results can be used by farmers for information sake and can not be used for legal purposes.
BIO FERTILISER LABORATORIES
Bio Fertiliser can be used in Agriculture as a supplement to the chemical fertilisers. Though they cannot be manufactured in huge quantities, the available bio fertilisers improve the soil structure beside supplying plant nutrients. Department of Agriculture maintains three bio fertiliser laboratories in the State to produce bio fertilisers like Rhizobium, Azola, Blue green algae, Azatobacter, Azospiryllum etc., These bio fertilisers are supplied to farmers at subsidised rates.
The details of bio fertiliser laboratories in the State are given below:-
Sl.No. | Laboratory | Location | District |
1. | Bio fertiliser laboratory | Hebbal | Bangalore (Urban) |
2. | Bio fertiliser laboratory | Dharwar | Dharwar |
3. | Bio fertiliser laboratory | Kotnoor | Gulbarga |
BIO CONTROL LABORATORIES
Department of Agriculture runs four Bio control laboratories in the State. The main objective of these laboratories is to control some of the important pests of Sugarcane and other crops by using natural predators to control the pests instead of using chemicals. Bio control methods are useful in reducing the plant protection cost and also to eliminate environmental pollution. Sugarcane stem borer is controlled by a parasite viz., Trichogramma sp from past several decades. Other Bio-control agents like NPV,Crysoperra etc. are used.The new bio control laboratory located in Gulbarga will under take production of some of these parasites and predators. Parasites produced in bio control laboratories or supplied to farmers at subsidised rates.
The details of the bio control laboratores in the State are given below:-
Sl.No | Laboratory | Location | District |
1. | State bio control laboratory | Gulbarga | Gulbarga |
2. | Bio control laboratory | Mandya | Mandya |
3. | Bio control laboratory | Bailahongal | Belgaum |
4. | Bio control laboratory | Gangavathi | Koppal |
At present Departmental labs produced trichogramma chilinis sufficient to meet a demand of 4300 hectares of sugarcane and other crops.
INSECTICIDE CONTROL LABORATORIES
There are five Insecticide control laboratories in the State. The main objective of these laboratories is to check the quality of insecticides supplied to the farmers by dealers/manufacturers. Insecticide Inspectors, appointed by Government of India in accordance with Insecticide Act, draw Insecticide samples and these samples are analysed in Insecticide Control Laboratories to know whether they meet the required standards or not. Details of samples which do not meet the required standards are made known to Insecticide Inspectors for taking further legal action against the concerned dealers/manufacturers.
Details of Insecticide control laboratories in the State are given below:
Sl.No. | Laboratory | Location | District |
1. | Insecticide control laboratory | Commissionerate of Agriculture Bangalore | Bangalore |
2. | Insecticide control laboratory | Dharwar | Dharwar |
3. | Insecticide control laboratory | Bellary | Bellary |
4. | Insecticide control laboratory | Shimoga | Shimoga |
5. | Insecticide control laboratory | Kotnoor | Gulbarga |
Under Insecticide Act 1968 & Rules 1971, there is provision for analysing farmers samples at free of cost. Hence interested farmers may send samples of insectsides on their own to any one of the laboratory mentioned above for ascertaining the quality. However, the analysis report can not be used for legal matters.
SEED TESTING LABORATORIES
Department of Agriculture maintains four notified Seed Testing laboratories in the State. The main objective of these Seed Testing laboratories is to analyse seed samples in accordance with Seeds Act 1966, and to check the quality of seeds. Seed samples drawn by Seed Inspectors analysed for their purity, germination percentage etc., and details of seed samples which do not meet the required standards are made known to Seed Inspectors to take further legal action against the dealer and seed producer.
Details of Seed Testing Laboratories (STL)in the State are given below:-
Sl.No. | Seed Testing Laboratory | Taluk and District |
1. | STL, Hebbal | Bangalore |
2. | STL, Dharwar | Dharwar |
3. | STL, Gangavathi | Gangavathi, Koppal |
4. | STL, Davanagere | Davangere |
Apart from the above laboratories, the Department of Horticulture is having one seed testing laboratory at Lalbagh, Bangalore and Karnataka State Seed Certification Agency is having two laboratories at Bangalore and Dharwad.
During 1999-2000, the numbe of seed samples analysed by these four laboratories was 25632 comprising 6050 Act samples and 19582 service samples. Apart from this 2978 charged samples (@ Rs.25 per seed sample)were also analysed.
It is programmed to analyes 33600 seed samples during 2000-2001, consisting of 8100 Act samples and 25500 Service samples. If any one on his own wants to gets seed sample analysed, it will be grouped under charged samples, which is in addition to Act and Service samples.
To interpret and understand soil test results please go to the web link
From Kashinath Karnic
State Department of Horticulture located in Lalbagh, Bangalore has a well established soil testing laboratory. Similarly, The state dept. of agriculture, University of Agri.Sciences GKVK,Bangaore have soil testing facilities. You can avail their services at reasonable cost.
kskarnic M.Sc.Ag(Horticulture consultant)
From DD Rathod
http://www.envtest.com/F6068/water_testing.html
Disclaimer
This information is provided for education of people. The author has no affiliation with any of the testing centers or University of Agriculture in any way. Please telephone first and ask for information and get the tests conducted. Consult an agricultural officer to take corrective actions.
